Friday, February 27, 2009

Our Lenten reflection last night was about poverty and wealth, about having too much or too little, about using what you do have wisely and compassionately. As we reflected on how much we have and how many people starve, we became humbly grateful and renewed our desires to use our resources to make the world a better place.

Yet, these desires must be taken in the context of the whole person, the situations in which we live, the ability to affect change in the world. Mother Teresa said something about the fact that she could only love the world one person at a time. We can only make small changes one by one.

I am unable to go to another country and build houses or help with clinics or teach new skills. But, I can give to the fund which makes loans for people in those countries to begin their own businesses and become self-sustaining. I can make baby hats for babies all over the world. I can make food for volunteers who help others build homes. I can do one small thing at a time.

In 1948, over 50% of the wealth (don't know how this is measured) was resident in the United States with about 6.3% of the world's population. The idea then was to keep at least that proportional disparity so that we would be a strong nation. In spite of the economic woes current, the USA is a strong nation. Many call the USA a Christian nation. If that were true, how would we go about making the world a better place - as a nation. We give food and aid to other countries. We make war and destroy infrastructures in other countries (and let our own infrastructures degrade and become outdated and dangerous).

Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

If more and more of us would do that as individuals, then corporately, we could become the strongest nation in the world as well as a truly Christian one. I'd like to see some politicians, bankers, and CEOs wearing those bracelets: WWJD?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Okay, I know I haven't posted much lately. Went to Chesapeake with partner to her conference and bought yarn while visiting four yarn shops - thanks to Mapquest for getting me around. Then came home with stomach virus. Stomach still sensitive and my appetite is not.

But, wonderful, wonderful, Shel of Some Disagree with Mom is visiting. What a great time! We're reading blogs and making videos (see on Shel's blog) and taking pictures and making the cats not jump in her lap - they really like her and talk with her. Introduced her to our little town and my running buddy Paula today.

She and partner are going to church tomorrow. Probably too early for me, but we'll see.

So, I'll be back later with deep thoughts, Southern ponderings, and strange musings.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

I'm not watching the super bowl. Someone always wins, and the players always get those much prized gold rings that show the world they really are worthwhile. The value of those rings might dig several wells in African villages in dire need of potable water. And, someone always loses. That's what happens in a two-team match.

Contemplative Weekends should end on Sunday at noon - and usually do. But, I'm lazy; so I'm still at the beach and somewhat bored. Okay, now I've done all this reflective writing and mind-mapping and reading. Now what? I cancelled my therapy appointment in the morning because I don't think I can get there in time, and I just want to let all this rest for a bit.

I've been knitting on a piece of that multi-stripe afghan that I began over a year ago. This stripe needs about another foot. Green centipede - six foot long. And, I've been crocheting petals for a lariat necklace. And, I started a bath cloth.

I've read all of Joyce Meyers that I can take for one weekend. I even turned on the television to see how far along the Super Bowl was and maybe catch one of the commercials, but I couldn't find it. What I found was a documentary on polygamy, and during the time I watched, all the first wives had been very unhappy with the addition of the second wife. All claimed to have gotten over it, but I just wonder why they weren't smiling.

Photograph

About Me

Sharecroppers farmed a section of land for the owners. They received everything they needed (and often less) from the owner. At the end of the season, they turned in their crop and received credit for it. Seldom was the credit enough to cover expenses for the coming year; so the sharecropper was always in debt to the owner. I remain in debt to God for every year that I continue in this life that God has given me. And, I am thankful for it.